Lost Shifter on Tamiya Jeep

radcontech

Member since
October 2011

Lost Shifter on Tamiya Jeep

Posted by radcontech on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 8:04 PM

When I was in Junior/High School (early-mid 80's) I enjoyed doing models. Life happened I haven't done one in well over twenty years but decided to take it back up. I picked up the Tamiya Jeep Willys MB, it's a great kit and besides the fact that I am learning a lot it is turning out better than I hoped. Then it happened, a problem I can't seem to find an answer to. I was going to paint and attach the shifter and I dropped it. After looking for over two hours (with my wifes help) I have concluded it is gone. I'm wondering what kind of advice everyone could give me to overcome this problem. It seems like I could manufacture one, it's basically just a very thin rod with a ball on either end but I have no idea how I would do that. I could finish the model without it but it would be obvious it was missing and I would rather not do that. Maybe there are replacement parts you can buy? Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. BTW I already figured out I should make sure the floor is a white tile and not the beige/brown burber carpet! Thanks!

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TREYZX10R

Member since
August 2009
From: Borlando Fla home of the rat

Posted by TREYZX10R on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 8:14 PM

Welcome back , I would use some stretched sprue and scratch a replacement. Just heat the sprue up just enough to allow you to stretch it to the desired thickness. Carpet monsters are a hazard to be avoided for sure!

gif creators

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stikpusher

Member since
July 2004
From: Sonora Desert

Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 8:27 PM

Contact Tamiya Customer Service by Email on their website. Tell them what happened, the kit number and part number and odds are they will replace the lost part free of charge. I had a similar incident happen a couple years back and their service is prompt and superb.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/contact/index.php

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

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buff

Member since
December 2003
From: Montreal

Posted by buff on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 8:46 PM

You could also use a short length of brass rod, shaped as required, with a small blob of ca for the knob.

On the bench: 1/32 Spit IXc

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radcontech

Member since
October 2011

Posted by radcontech on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 9:19 PM

Thanks for the replies!

I went ahead and sent tamiya an email, if they send me another one that would be great. Either way though I am going to try my hand at making one. I have a couple of ideas for models that will have to be scratch built so I might as well get in some practice!

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the doog

Member since
January 2007

Posted by the doog on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 10:28 PM

With a part as easy to replicate as a shifter, I would have spent about 10 minutes, max, to look for it.

How to make it? A piece of stretched sprue or a styrene rod (every modeler should have several packages of styrene rod and strip for detailing purposes) with a ball of thick super glue on top. Or, use a ball-tipped straight pin. There are all kinds of tiny balls around to glue on top if you look hard enough. Smile